Tessellations in Art

A tessellation is a pattern of shapes that fit together like puzzle pieces with no gaps and no overlaps. Artists and architects have used tessellations for thousands of years to create stunning designs.

How Tessellations Work

Only certain shapes can tessellate on their own. Squares, equilateral triangles, and regular hexagons can each tile a flat surface perfectly. The angles at each meeting point must add up to 360 degrees.

You can also combine different shapes. Octagons and squares fit together in a popular floor tile pattern. The key is that no gaps or overlaps are allowed.

Tessellations in Famous Art

The Dutch artist M.C. Escher is famous for his tessellation art. He turned simple shapes into birds, fish, lizards, and other creatures that fit together perfectly. His work amazes both math lovers and art lovers.

Islamic art features some of the most beautiful tessellations in the world. Mosques and palaces are covered in intricate geometric tile patterns. These designs use math to create beauty.

Fun Facts

• A soccer ball is covered in a tessellation of pentagons and hexagons.
• Honeycomb is a natural tessellation made by bees using hexagons.
• M.C. Escher visited the Alhambra palace in Spain and was inspired by its tile patterns.

Did You Know?

In 2015, mathematicians discovered a new shape called a pentagon that can tessellate. It was the first new tessellating pentagon found in 30 years!